Transparent Labs has been on a tear lately with their all-natural lineup, and BULK Black might be the most fired-up formula they’ve dropped yet. If you want something that kicks like a mule and keeps you locked in from warm-up to last rep, this one delivers.
We’re talking a full 8 grams of citrulline for monster pumps. Add in the caffeine, it’s like drinking three espressos back to back, and a punch of vitamin B12, and yeah… you’re going to feel it.
The Sour Gummy flavor? Surprisingly solid. Sweet, a little tart, no weird aftertaste. You’ll actually look forward to it, which isn’t something you can say about most pre’s.
Ingredient-wise, BULK Black checks every box. Beta-alanine, the usual suspects, but also a clean combo of B and D vitamins for extra support. The whole thing’s built for serious lifters who want more energy, better focus, and a pump that doesn’t quit halfway through your workout.
If you’re chasing that locked-in, let’s-freaking-go kind of workout, this is the one. BULK Black’s got the fuel. You just have to show up and move the weight.
Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout Highlights
Transparent Labs BULK Black doesn’t show up quietly. It kicks the door open and drops 12 active ingredients on the table, backed by a huge dose of vitamins D, B6, and B12. And when I say huge, I mean 294% of your daily value, minimum. You’re not just checking boxes here, you’re crushing them.
They didn’t forget hydration either. You’ve got 150mg of sodium and 100mg of potassium to keep everything firing. Muscles stay responsive, blood pressure stays steady, and you don’t feel like a shriveled raisin halfway through your lift.
Now let’s talk numbers. You’re getting 8 grams of citrulline. Four grams of beta-alanine. The kind of amounts that don’t just look good on a label, they actually hit when it matters. Toss in focus enhancers and you’ve got a formula that locks you in, especially if you’re a morning lifter who needs that extra kick before sunrise.
Flavors? There’s a bunch. Blue Raspberry, Peach Mango, Sour Gummy, Black Cherry, and Cherry Kiwi. They all hold their own. Clean taste, no junk, no dyes, no fake sweeteners. Just bold flavor that doesn’t taste like chemicals.
It runs about two bucks a scoop, which might sound steep, but for 17 grams of active ingredients with no fluff, it earns it.
That said, it’s not for everybody. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, there’s 305mg staring you down. Not into stevia? It’s in there. Looking for creatine? You won’t find it here.
But if you want a high-stim, clean-label pre-workout that brings the heat without the artificial garbage, BULK Black is ready when you are.
Pricing For Pre-Series Bulk Black
BULK Black is labeled as a “limited edition” pre-workout, but let’s be real — it’s been around for a while. That doesn’t mean it’s not solid. It just means the label’s doing a little extra work.
A tub runs about $59.99, which breaks down to two bucks a serving. Not the cheapest out there, but not outrageous either when you stack it against what’s inside. And if you’re using coupon code TL10, you’re already shaving off 10 percent without lifting a finger.
Wanna save more? Their subscribe-and-save setup knocks it down another notch. Choose deliveries every 30, 45, or 60 days, and now you’re looking at $1.80 per scoop — plus free shipping, which always feels like a win.
Bottom line, if you’re planning to use it consistently, the subscription is a smart move. And if not? Just grab a tub and use the code. Either way, you’re saving something.
Transparent Labs BULK Black Pre-Workout Ingredients
Citrulline Malate 2:1 – 8 grams
Citrulline Malate is an ingredient you will find in many pre-workout supplements and for good reason, this amino acid packs a powerful punch.
Studies have shown that it can improve strength, aerobic performance, and muscle endurance. [1,2]
That’s not all, though; citrulline malate is also more effective than L-Arginine at increasing nitric oxide levels to help deliver serious muscle pumps.[3]
It can also boost the utilization of branch-chain amino acids, such as leucine, during your workout sessions.[4]
Beta Alanine – 4000 mg
Beta-alanine is known for the tingling sensation it induces after taking a pre-workout, but its benefits extend far beyond that. This ingredient has been shown to boost cellular carnosine levels, essential for combating fatigue during high-intensity workouts.[5, 6]
Moreover, research indicates that beta-alanine can significantly enhance muscle strength and endurance, supporting longer, more effective training sessions.[7][8]
Looking for more reasons to love it? Beta-alanine has also been linked to body fat reduction, making it a multifaceted asset in your fitness arsenal. [9]
Betaine Anhydrous 1500 mg
Betaine Anhydrous 1500 mg is like the secret weapon hidden in your beets and spinach.
This powerhouse brings a lot to the table. It’s associated with boosting your strength, enhancing blood circulation, and even increasing your stamina during workouts.
And the best part? It could help dampen the cortisol surge that often follows intense exercise. Imagine it as a mini stress-guard within your supplement routine. So, what’s the ideal amount? Roughly 2.5 grams daily, divided into two doses for those engaged in weight training, seems to hit the mark.(10)
Taurine 1300 mg
Taurine, a molecule similar to an amino acid, plays a crucial role in pre-workout supplements. It interacts with beta-alanine in a competitive manner, meaning that supplementing with beta-alanine without including taurine could potentially result in taurine deficiency.[11].
Additionally, taurine has neuroprotective benefits and has been found to reduce next-day muscle soreness [12, 13].
L-Tyrosine – 1000 mg
L-tyrosine, a conditionally essential amino acid, is pivotal for the synthesis of dopamine, enhancing focus, motivation, and cognitive function as an effective nootropic. The notable advantages of supplementing with L-tyrosine are its ability to:
Mitigate stress impacts, enabling enhanced mental clarity and endurance.[14]
Boost memory and performance, even in physically stressful environments like cold conditions.[15]
Alpha GPC – 300 mg
AlphaSize® represents a patented variant of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC), offering a highly bioavailable form of choline. Choline, an essential B vitamin, is utilized by the body to produce acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine, both crucial for cognitive functionality and neurotransmission. Numerous studies indicate that alpha-GPC can significantly enhance both mental and physical performance, particularly when used alongside caffeine. [16]
Therefore, alpha-GPC boasts both nootropic and ergogenic benefits, making it a prime candidate for inclusion in pre-workout supplements.
L-Theanine – 200mg
L-theanine, an amino acid utilized by the body, shows numerous advantages for athletes, especially when paired with caffeine. These benefits include:
Enhancing reaction time, attention, and memory.[17, 18, 19, 20]
Minimizing jitters for those sensitive to caffeine.
Lowering stress and promoting relaxation without compromising focus or energy levels.[21]
Caffeine Anhydrous – 275 mg
Caffeine anhydrous stands as the pure, dehydrated form of caffeine, celebrated for its ability to boost energy, alertness, motivation, and overall mood. The caffeine dosage in sports supplements typically falls within the 350-450 mg range, although some products may include alternative forms like di-caffeine malate, pushing the total caffeine content up to 297 mg.
Adopting a “less is more” approach is advisable, as increasing dependency on caffeine can lead to reduced effectiveness over time. The optimal amount of caffeine needed varies based on several factors, including sleep patterns, timing of caffeine consumption, and your diet and nutrition, all of which play a crucial role in determining your ideal intake.
Theomberine 98% – 50 mg
Theobromine, often regarded as a milder stimulant akin to “caffeine light,” is present in chocolate, certain tea plants, and the kola nut. Its name, translating to “Food of the Gods” from Greek, with “theo” meaning gods and “broma” signifying food, hints at its esteemed status.
There’s anecdotal evidence indicating that theobromine may enhance mood, focus, and stimulation. Typical dosages vary between 100 to 400 mg, positioning products with lower concentrations at the minimal end of the spectrum.
Taste of Preseries Bulk Black by Transparent Labs
Ok, this is what a lot of you are looking for. How does Bulk Black Pre-Workout taste?
They have several flavors available, all of which sound great, but I chose the Sour Gummy. I’d say it has the potential to taste really good or really bad. Let’s find out.
The directions said to start with a half scoop, but I went ahead and tried a full scoop so I could really analyze the flavor.
It mixed up pretty easily just using a spoon in a glass with water. There were some very tiny clumps, but they weren’t even noticeable when drinking it. A shaker bottle would easily mix it with no clumps at all.
Tastewise, it tasted like a pre-workout, and it was definitely sour; it didn’t taste a lot like a gummy, but I would still say it was above average.
It didn’t taste like Kool-Aid but no pre-workout is any good will; if it tastes like Kool-Aid, it probably doesn’t work very well.
The taste wasn’t fantastic, but it wasn’t off-putting either; I liked the sourness of it.
Overall, I would say it is above average for a good pre-workout when it comes to taste. If you like sour drinks, you will like it.
Are you kidding me? This bad boy is loaded with powerful ingredients like citrulline malate and betaine anhydrous in serious doses. Plus it delivers the energy and focus you need to train harder in the gym which will lead to more gains.
What’s the Difference between Preseries Bulk and Bulk Black?
Honestly? There’s not a huge difference right now.
Transparent Labs likes to fine-tune their formulas over time, but as it stands, BULK Black and the regular BULK are almost identical. The main differences? BULK Black packs 75mg more caffeine, plus 30mg of di-caffeine malate for a slower release, and 50mg of AstraGin, a blend of astragalus and Panax notoginseng that’s supposed to help with absorption.
Outside of that, the rest of the formula is basically the same.
So here’s the deal. If you want a stronger energy hit, go with BULK Black. But ingredient-wise, they’re pretty much twins.
Overall Experience With Bulk Black Pre-Workout
Overall, Bulk Black delivered. There was a solid tingle, which I know a lot of you liked, and the energy boost was great but not over the top.
The Sour Gummy flavor was definitely sour. It wasn’t very gummy tasting, but I would say it is still above average. I can’t speak for their other flavors.
Pricewise it is a bit above average but you can lower the price with coupon codes. Coupon code TL10 will save you 10% on your order, and you can also get a subscription, which saves another 10% and gets you free shipping.
9.7out of 10
Taste9.5
Ingredients9.8
Transparency10
Price9.5
Overall Effectiveness9.7
Pros and Cons of Bulk Black
Pros
Solid ingredients in ample doses
Coupon code TL10 saves you 10% at checkout
All-natural ingredients
Third-party tested
A subscription can get you 10% off and free shipping
Gives a solid energy boost
Cons
Above average in price
Doesn’t use creatine
Wrap Up
Wrapping up this review of Transparent Labs’ Bulk Black Sour Gummy, this beast of a product nails it in flavor and formula. Loaded with the good stuff like caffeine for that beast mode energy, beta-alanine to push through the burn, and AlphaSize® to keep your head in the game, it’s the gym buddy you didn’t know you needed.
Sour Gummy flavor is above average, making your pre-workout not just a routine but a treat. If you’re all about maximizing those gains and crushing your workouts, Transparent Labs’ Bulk Black is your go-to. No fluff, just solid, hard-hitting support for every lift and sprint.
